Montibelli is a large, private reserve whose 165.5 hectares are made up of three former coffee plantations. The owners still grow a bit of coffee – plus lemons, bananas, pineapples and pitahaya – but the majority of the land is devoted to reforestation. A former farmhouse has been converted into a visitor’s center and dining area (try the BBQ). There is also a basic camping area (the owners are planning to build a more formal shelter) with bathrooms and guided tours along the reserve’s three trails: 700 meters to a lookout point called “El Mirador,” a 2.5 km loop known as “Los Balcones” and “El Pochote,” a 3 km loop where you can see many butterflies and the occasional howler monkey.

Montibelli, located in the Sierras de Managua, has roughly 115 species of trees, 105 species of birds and 32 mammal species. The reserve protects a variety of endangered species, including the Pacific parakeet, Congo monkey, agouti and six types of hummingbirds. If that’s not enough for you, Montibelli also has 55 species of butterflies.

The reserve is not the easiest place to reach – you have to get to km 19 of the Ticuantepe-La Concepcion highway and then go another 2.5 km after the turn off – but mototaxis can take you there from the Ticuantepe bus stop (if you’re willing to pay). The reserve also asks that you make a reservation in advance of your visit. The reserve is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Tel: 505-270-4287, fax: 505-270-4289, email : info(at)remove-this.montibelli.com

National Park

By Rachael Hanley

A sometime newspaper journalist with a heavy side of wanderlust, Rachael moved to Quito in November to work on the V!VA staff. She is currently...